Ton Duc Thang University accompanies Tan Hung Ward in building a digital, civilized, and humane administration

On October 28, the People’s Committee of Tan Hung Ward (Ho Chi Minh City) and Ton Duc Thang University (TDTU) held a signing ceremony for a memorandum of understanding on science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation.

Attending the event, on the guest side, were representatives from the City’s departments and agencies, including Mr. Dang Ngoc Tung - Former Member of the Central Executive Committee of the Communist Party, Former President of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour; Mr. Nguyen Van Dua - Former Permanent Deputy Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee; Mr. Nguyen Duc Chinh - Former Deputy Minister of Justice; Prof. Dr. Tran Ngoc Tho - University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City; Mr. Nguyen Tran Phu Thinh – Deputy Director of Ho Chi Minh City Digital Transformation Center; Mr. Hoang Minh Tuan Anh - Secretary of the Party Committee, Chairman of the People’s Council of Tan Hung Ward; members of the Ward Party Standing Committee, People’s Council, and People’s Committee; representatives of the offices under the Ward Party Committee, People’s Council - People’s Committee - Vietnam Fatherland Front Committees of Tan Hung, Tan My, Tan Thuan, and Phu Thuan wards.

On the TDTU side, there were Dr. Tran Trong Dao - Chairman of the University Council for Science and Training, Rector of TDTU; faculty members of the University Board of Directors, together with leaders of some Departments/Offices/Faculties and affiliated units of TDTU.

Connecting university knowledge with local practice

The event not only opened a new direction in linking the University with the grassroots government, but also reflected the spirit of “bringing knowledge to serve the people,” realizing the Party’s policy on digital transformation, sustainable urban development, and building a citizen-centered government. This is also the first time TDTU has signed a cooperation agreement with a grassroots administrative unit.

Tan Hung Ward - a newly formed administrative unit after the merger of four former wards in District 7 (Tan Hung, Tan Phong, Tan Quy, and Tan Kieng) - has a population of over 150,000 and covers more than 8 km². The ward is facing the need to innovate its management model, develop a smart city, and improve the quality of public services. Within this orientation, the cooperation between the People’s Committee of Tan Hung Ward and TDTU is considered a pioneering step, opening a “three-way linkage” model between the University - Government - People, jointly creating new value for the community.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Hoang Minh Tuan Anh - Secretary of the Party Committee, Chairman of the People’s Council of Tan Hung Ward shared: “Today’s signed memorandum is a connection between knowledge and practice, between the university and the government, aiming to implement Resolution 57 in serving people’s lives in a concrete and effective way. Today’s signing helps us achieve three major goals: (1) Linking the University - Government - People, in which the people are the ultimate beneficiaries of innovative products. (2) Bringing Resolution 57 out of the laboratory, turning policies into tangible products and actions in every neighborhood and residential area. (3) Commitment to implementation: Both parties will jointly deploy, monitor, and decisively carry out the agreed contents so that digital transformation initiatives truly reach daily life.”

The proactive approach of the Tan Hung Ward government aligns perfectly with TDTU’s vision of “University sharing, serving the community.” This is a smooth combination between “practical demand” and “knowledge supply capacity,” opening a model cooperation between the University and local government.

Dr. Tran Trong Dao - Rector of TDTU, emphasized: “Today’s signing ceremony is extremely significant, not only as a linkage between a grassroots administrative unit and an educational-research institution, but also as a concrete step in implementing the Politburo’s Resolution 57-NQ/TW on breakthroughs in science, technology, and digital transformation.”

Implementing the spirit of Resolution 57-NQ/TW in real life

The cooperation memorandum between the two parties includes 12 core contents, focusing on 4 main groups of issues:

• Smart urban governance: TDTU will collaborate to develop solutions applying modern technologies such as AI, IoT, Big Data, GIS to manage urban areas, environment, and social welfare. This helps the ward government capture information quickly and make accurate and transparent decisions.
• Developing digital human resources: Organizing training courses on artificial intelligence, digital skills, and information security for ward officials. TDTU will also introduce outstanding students for internships and participate in the “Digital Popular Education” movement, directly assisting residents in accessing technology.
• Promoting education and innovation: Supporting secondary and high schools in the area to implement STEM/STEAM classrooms, organize science and technology creativity competitions, and enhance teachers’ capacities. This is an investment in the ward’s future generation.
• Building a startup ecosystem: Collaborating to organize career orientation, entrepreneurship, business networking activities, providing opportunities for students and local youth to access practical experiences and develop creative capacity.

At the ceremony, the TDTU Rector affirmed: The University is ready to transfer and support advanced models, technologies, and teaching methods, applying AI in teaching and administration for primary and secondary schools in the ward. Additionally, TDTU wishes to expand cooperation with the locality in urban management, environment, planning, food safety, as well as international cooperation, investment promotion, and local business development.

At the same time, the University is ready to mobilize a network of domestic and international experts and scientists to consult and share international experience with the locality, helping the ward have more practical, effective, and suitable models and solutions.

Cooperation with Tan Hung Ward is a vivid demonstration of TDTU’s commitment, not only a responsibility but also a pride when the University brings its knowledge, youth, and technology to join the government and people in building Tan Hung Ward sustainably, making it a livable urban area.

After the signing ceremony, with TDTU’s support, the entire political system of the Ward commits to synchronized and decisive actions to turn cooperation contents into concrete results. Cooperation between a dynamic university and a transforming large ward not only contributes to implementing Resolution 57-NQ/TW but also creates a model collaboration between academic knowledge and local governance, bringing science - technology - and innovation closer to people’s lives.